Slama Bill Would Target Human Trafficking Rings

LINCOLN – Newly-appointed Sen. Julie Slama is gaining experience writing bills and speaking on the floor of state Legislature and is already representing southeast Nebraska in the fight against human trafficking.

Gov. Pete Ricketts appointed the 22-year-old Republican nine days before the legislative session began. She said she is reaching out to the people of the district and welcomed a visit by Attorney General Doug Peterson and Sens. Patty Pansing Brooks and Lou Ann Linehan regarding human trafficking.

Slama: “It’s not something we experience every day. It’s not a very visible crime, but it’s incredibly common in Nebraska. As a young woman in the Legislature, I am the population that it impacts – young women, so it’s an issue I’m certainly excited to be on board with. I’m happy to crack down on human trafficking for sure.”

Slama is sponsor of LB519, which extends the statute of limitations for trafficking of adults and children and broadens law enforcement authority for wire taps in trafficking investigations.

Slama: “These law enforcement agencies already have the power to wire tap for other serious felonies. This just brings that up to par with other crimes.”

Senators Pansing Brooks, Linehan and Slama introduced a package of bills on Jan. 22 to assist the survivors of human trafficking and assist law enforcement.

A bill proposed by Sen. Linehan will appropriate $500,000 to create the Trafficking Survivors Act. It would provide services to victims.